Period or Not…Names
This is a recurring series by Mistress Alys Mackyntoich on whether certain names currently can be documented to period based on existing evidence.. There are a lot of names that people think are medieval, but actually aren’t, and others which people think are modern, but in fact are found in the SCA’s period. If you would like to suggest a name, send an email to the Gazette.
Today’s name is Victoria.
I was asked recently about the female name “Victoria.” Victoria is, in fact, a period name in multiple cultures. It can be documented in 16th century Spain[1], Portugal[2], Italy[3], Germany[4] and, of course, England.[5] The variant Victoire is found in France.[6] We also find Victory as a female name in 16th century English.[7]
[1] Victoria Roldorar; Female; Christening; 17 Nov 1599; Malgrat, Barcelona, Spain; Batch: C89273-4 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F5VL-Y52).
[2] Victoria Ros; Female; Marriage; 20 Apr 1550; Espírito Santo, Calheta, Madeira, Funchal, Portugal; Batch: M88009-1 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F2ZC-N6L).
[3] “Names from an Early 16th C Census of Rome” by Aryanhwy merch Catmael (http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/italian/leofemfreq.html) and “Early 16th C Names from Naples” by Aryanhwy merch Catmael (http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/italian/frattaminore.html).
[4] Victoria Bainhardt; Female; Marriage; 23 Sep 1583; Brackenheim, Württemberg, Germany; Batch: M95512-1 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NCJ6-V6Y).
[5] Victoria Marshall; Female; Christening; 08 Jun 1589; Darrington, York, England; Batch: P00759-1 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NP5X-Q56).
[6] “Late Period French Feminine Names” by Aryanhwy merch Catmael (http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/french/latefrench.html).
[7] Victory Milles; Female; Christening; 22 Mar 1553; Wartling, Sussex, England; Batch: C14798-1 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NY45-LY1).